At Tantrum, we're fans of old movies as well as new. While Galaxy Quest doesn't quite make it into the ancient stakes yet, the 1999 film is far enough removed from the present to be considered a cult classic.
Focusing on the cast of a TV sci-fi show, the film follows what happens when they are recruited by real life aliens who hope that the team can save them from another hoard of angry, war-mongering aliens.
As you can see, it's an all star cast. Tim Allen, Alan Rickman, Sigourney Weaver... and that's just to name three. Tony Shalhoub (who later found further fame as Adrian Monk in Monk), Daryl Mitchell (of Brothers and Ed fame), and Sam Rockwell (well, what hasn't he been in?) make up the rest of the principal characters. Not only that, but star turns from Enrico Colantoni and Missi Pyle as two of the Thermians mean that the supporting cast is just as entertaining.
In saying that, special mentions have to go to Alan Rickman and Sam Rockwell, both of whom bring the necessary humour to their roles. Rickman stars as a frustrated actor whose ambitions were far loftier than a second rate sci-fi show, and Rockwell is equally as hilarious as 'Extra Number 6,' whose constant worry is that he's going to be killed off as a spare.
It's 1999, so you can't really expect 21st century special effects - nor do you get them - but it's worth it anyway. Perhaps part of its charm is in the low rent feel of the film. You almost feel like somewhere in the world, this could be happening... well, to a certain extent.
It's a surprisingly heartwarming film, with engaging characters and plenty of laughs along the way. Buying into all of the sci-fi cliches it's parodying, Galaxy Quest is a must for anyone who has so much as looked at the sky and wondered what lay beyond.
